Workday releases are packed with potential—but only if you’re prepared. With two major updates per year, staying ahead of new features, compliance changes, and workflow enhancements can feel overwhelming without the right strategy.
The good news? With a structured approach and expert support, you can streamline the process, minimize risk, and fully leverage each Workday update.
At Syssero, we help organizations like yours cut through the complexity—ensuring you focus on what truly matters without getting lost in release documentation.
Why Preparation is Critical 🛠
Each Workday release introduces three types of updates:
✅ Auto-Enabled Features – These activate automatically and may change workflows without intervention. ✅ Configuration-Required Features – Enhancements that need manual enablement, setup, or security updates. ✅ Compliance & Security Updates – Critical regulatory changes that must be implemented to remain compliant.
Without preparation, you risk broken processes, compliance failures, and missed opportunities. A structured approach prevents last-minute surprises and ensures you capitalize on every valuable update.
6 Best Practices for Workday Release Success
1. Start with a Clear Prioritization Framework 🎯
Not every update requires immediate implementation. Before diving into the details, categorize updates based on impact and urgency to streamline decision-making.
Use this prioritization model: 🔥 Critical & Compliance-Driven (Must-Do): Regulatory changes, security updates, or fixes necessary for system functionality. First priority. ⚡ High-Impact Business Enhancements (Should-Do): Features that improve efficiency, automate manual work, or enhance user experience. Recommended. ✨ Nice-to-Have (Could-Do): Low-impact updates that refine existing processes but don’t require immediate action. Evaluate as time allows. 🕒 Defer or Reassess Later (Will-Do Eventually): Features that don’t align with business needs but may be useful in the future.
📌 How Syssero Helps:
- Our team reviews each release and prioritizes features based on your specific needs—so you don’t waste time on changes that don’t matter.
- We help you align Workday updates with your business goals, ensuring maximum value from every release.
2. Read the “What’s New” Document with a Focused Approach 📄
Workday’s “What’s New” document is dense, often spanning hundreds of pages. Instead of spending hours sifting through irrelevant changes, let Syssero help you identify and implement only the updates that matter.
🔍 The Approach:
✔ First-Pass Review:Together, we analyze all updates and flag compliance-critical and system-impacting changes.
✔ Second-Pass Review:Evaluate changes by functional area, ensuring no key updates are overlooked.
✔ Impact Mapping:We work with you to assess risks, dependencies, and configuration requirements, creating a tailored release strategy.
📌 The Advantage:
- Remove the guesswork with a customized summary of release notes tailored to your organization.
- By combining your team’s expertise with insights from Workday veterans, we help prioritize the must-haves and save valuable time.
3. Assign Core Stakeholders & Ownership 🤝
Workday updates impact multiple teams—so ownership matters. Assigning clear responsibilities ensures updates are reviewed and implemented efficiently.
Create an HRIS Update Task Forcewith representatives from:
👥 HR Operations & Talent(HCM, Recruiting, Onboarding)
💰 Payroll & Compensation(Payroll, Benefits, Compensation)
📊 Finance & Accounting(Financials, Budgeting, Reporting)
🖥 IT & HRIS Administrators(Integrations, Security, Technical Configurations)
📌 How to Approach It:
- Work directly with your HR, finance, and IT teams to ensure every department knows what’s changing and why it matters.
- Streamline the workload by organizing clear processes to ensure updates are reviewed faster and more efficiently.
4. Leverage the Testing Tenant (Test Like a Pro) 🧪
With just one month before go-live, testing needs to be focused and strategic. Rather than testing everything, prioritize mission-critical functions to ensure a smooth transition.
🔬 Testing Recommendations:
✔ Mission-Critical Processes:Focus on payroll, benefits, compliance workflows, and third-party integrations.
✔ High-Impact Changes:Address automation updates, UI redesigns, and new Workday workflows.
✔ Custom Configurations:Test security permissions, reports, and workflows unique to your business.
✔ User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Ensure end-users can successfully adapt to new features.
📌 How Syssero Can Support You:
- We provide expert recommendationsto help you shape a robust testing roadmap.
- Our team can assist with regression testingand collaborate with your internal stakeholders.
5. Communicate & Train Proactively 📢
New features are only valuable if your team knows how to use them. A structured communication and training plan ensures adoption and prevents disruptions.
📌 Key Training Support:
- Executive Briefings: High-level overviews for leadership, focusing on strategic value.
- End-User Guides: Simple, actionable training materials tailored to your workforce.
- Live Webinars & Q&A Sessions: Hands-on training to boost adoption and minimize confusion.
🔹 If training and change management are a priority for your organization, Syssero can be a valuable partner in this journey.
6. Monitor, Optimize, and Iterate Post-Go-Live 📅
A Workday release doesn’t end at go-live—ongoing monitoring is critical.
📊 Post-Go-Live Checklist: ✔ System Performance: Watch for errors, integration failures, or payroll discrepancies. ✔ End-User Feedback: Set up a feedback loop to track adoption and troubleshoot issues. ✔ KPIs & Optimization: Measure the impact of new features and fine-tune processes accordingly.
📌 Why Syssero?
- We provide post-release audits, ensuring you catch issues before they escalate.
- Our team continuously optimizes your Workday environment, ensuring you get long-term value from every update.
Make the Most of Every Workday Release with Syssero and a Roadmap🚀
Workday updates don’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right strategy and expert support, your business can transform Workday releases into opportunities—not challenges.
The key to unlocking the full potential of Workday updates lies in having a clear, strategic roadmap. Syssero helps prioritize short-term wins while shaping a long-term strategy tailored to your goals. With every new feature promising to revolutionize your business, making the right decisions can feel daunting. That’s where we come in—our experts cut through the noise to identify which updates will deliver the most value, both now and in the future.
With a well-executed roadmap, your team can align on priorities and set your organization up for lasting success.
✅ 📢 Schedule a call today and turn your next Workday release into your most impactful yet: CONTACT US.